International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

What International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) does

ISSA is a Phoenix-headquartered, PE-backed online distance education institution founded in 1988 that provides fitness, nutrition, health coaching, and wellness certifications to aspiring and practicing professionals across 174+ countries. The company operates a digital learning platform combining digital textbooks, video content, an interactive 3D exercise animation library, live Zoom sessions, and self-paced open-book online exams; NCCA-accredited exam options are delivered through wholly-owned subsidiary NCCPT (acquired 2020). The product portfolio is structured around core credentials (Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Yoga 200), multi-certification bundles (Fitness Coach $99/month, Elite Trainer $125/month, Master Trainer $175/month), 20+ specializations, continuing education units, and a full Spanish-language line. A unique 90-day job guarantee, backed by 10,000+ gym hiring partners accessible via ISSA Career Connect, anchors the value proposition for career-changers and entry-level fitness professionals.

The business model is direct-to-consumer self-serve e-commerce, supplemented by channel partnerships (Army Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA, corporate bulk accounts) and the March 2026 cult.fit exclusive partnership for India distribution. ISSA monetizes through both subscription-style monthly payment plans (0% interest) and one-time purchases, with revenue also derived from CEU micro-courses ($19-$159) and a standalone $49 CPR/AED certification. PE ownership by Tailwind Capital (since March 2022) underwrites an active expansion strategy, evidenced by the October 2023 acquisition of Empowered Education (Health Coach Institute, Functional Nutrition Alliance) which added 36,000+ members, the launch of the Menopause Coach Certification targeting a stated 1 billion women market opportunity, and the 2026 ISSA Global Summit. The company has cumulatively certified over 1 million professionals and reported 15,832+ Trustpilot reviews with an Excellent rating, supporting brand-led customer acquisition with no reliance on a concentrated set of enterprise buyers.

Name

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

Legal name

ISSA, LLC

Website

https://issaonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ISSA is a PE-backed, Phoenix-based online education institution providing self-paced fitness, nutrition, and wellness certifications to aspiring and practicing professionals across 174+ countries, monetized through tiered certification bundles, specializations, and CEUs with a 90-day job guarantee.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fitness Certification Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Services (611), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)

Keywords

• Fitness certification programs
• Personal trainer education
• Online certification courses
• Continuing education units
• Wellness coaching credentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certification Programs: Revenue from various certification bundles and individual courses including CPT, Nutrition Coach, Yoga 200, and specialty certifications. Students pay upfront or through monthly installment plans (0% interest). Programs range from $89/month to $175/month for comprehensive bundles.
2. Specialization Add-ons: Additional revenue from specialized certifications (Bodybuilding, Corrective Exercise, Strength & Conditioning, etc.) offered as add-ons to core certification packages, often with promotional discounts like 50% off.
3. Continuing Education Units (CEUs): Ongoing education courses for certified professionals to maintain credentials, ranging from $19 to $159 per course with varying CEU values.
4. CPR/AED Certification: Standalone CPR/AED certification program required for ISSA program completion, offered at $49 with online-only delivery.
5. Military and Corporate Programs: Special pricing and funding programs for military personnel (Army Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA) and corporate accounts with bulk purchase options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ISSA is a distance education institution and certifying agency that delivers self-paced online certification programs, specializations, and continuing education courses for fitness and wellness professionals. Its portfolio spans the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Nutrition Coach, Yoga 200, Health Coach, Pilates, and 20+ specialization credentials, available as standalone courses or bundled packages with a 90-day job guarantee backed by 10,000+ gym hiring partners.

Product overview

ISSA offers a comprehensive online fitness and wellness education platform providing certifications, specializations, continuing education units (CEUs), and career support services. The product portfolio is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture, centered around core certification programs (Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Yoga 200) that serve as the foundational credentials, supplemented by bundled offerings (Elite Trainer, Master Trainer, Fitness Coach bundles) that combine multiple certifications and specializations at discounted pricing. Above these, ISSA provides 20+ individual specializations (Strength & Conditioning, Corrective Exercise, Bodybuilding, Menopause Coach, Functional Aging, etc.) and continuing education courses (CPR/AED, GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training, and micro-CEUs). The company also operates a career platform (ISSA Career Connect), an annual virtual summit, and live webinar programming. A full Spanish-language portfolio (6 certifications) serves the growing Hispanic fitness professional market. ISSA's job guarantee program backs select certifications with a 100% money-back promise, and the company provides proprietary employer connections through its network of 10,000+ gym partners. In 2023, ISSA expanded into health coaching through the acquisition of Empowered Education (Health Coach Institute and Functional Nutrition Alliance).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) ISSA's flagship personal training certification course covering anatomy, physiology, exercise science, client assessment, program design, behavior change, and business fundamentals. Delivered as flexible online study with the option of an open-book ISSA exam or an NCCA-accredited proctored exam via subsidiary NCCPT. Priced at $89/month on the payment plan or $868 one-time. Priced at $89/month (payment plan) or $868 one-time.
• Elite Trainer Bundle ISSA's most popular multi-certification bundle combining CPT, Nutrition Coach, and Strength & Conditioning certifications plus one specialization (Bodybuilding or Corrective Exercise), with live Q&A sessions, study workbook, CPR/AED, and a business course. Priced at $125/month for 12 payments or $1,300 one-time.
• Master Trainer Bundle ISSA's highest-level multi-certification bundle spanning fitness, coaching, and performance credentials. Includes Corrective Exercise Specialist, Exercise Recovery Specialist, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Transformation Specialist, Nutrition Coach, Bodybuilding Specialist, Tactical Conditioning Specialist, Group Exercise Instructor, Indoor Cycling Instructor, and Running Coach. Priced at $175/month for 12 payments or $2,100 one-time.
• Fitness Coach Bundle Multi-certification bundle including CPT, CPR/AED, and one specialization (Bodybuilding Specialist or Business of Personal Training), positioned as an accelerated path into fitness coaching. Priced at $99/month or $1,199 one-time.
• Certified Nutrition Coach Standalone nutrition coaching certification covering macronutrients, micronutrients, metabolism, nutrition guidance, behavioral coaching, and habit change. Includes 200 hours of self-paced coursework and an open-book at-home exam. Priced at $52/month or $629 one-time.
• Health Coach Certification Behavior-change and wellness coaching certification covering habit formation science, coaching communication, goal-setting frameworks, nutrition and movement integration, stress management, and professional ethics. Priced at $79/month or $950 one-time.
• Yoga 200 Certification Yoga Alliance-registered (RYS 200) 200-hour yoga teacher training covering asana, anatomy, philosophy, teaching methodology, meditation, breathwork, and the business of yoga. Graduates are eligible to register as RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance. Self-paced within 6 months. Priced at $103/month or $1,188 one-time.
• Yoga Fundamentals Introductory yoga certification covering history, philosophy, asana, pranayama, class design, and teaching communication skills. Self-paced with a fast-track study guide. Priced at $53/month or $639 one-time.
• Certified Pilates Instructor Pilates instructor certification covering mat-based Pilates techniques, cueing, class design, and teaching methodology for diverse populations. Awards 20 CEU credits.
• Strength and Conditioning Certification Advanced certification covering sports science, biomechanics, strength, power and endurance training design, speed and agility programming, periodization, injury prevention, and functional movement principles. Priced at $53/month.
• Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification covering postural and movement assessment, muscle imbalance and kinetic chain analysis, corrective programming, exercise sequencing, and client communication for restoring movement function and reducing injury risk. Awards 20 CEU credits.
• Bodybuilding Specialist Certification covering hypertrophy and strength training principles, periodization, recovery optimization, nutrition and supplementation strategies, mindset coaching, and program design for sustainable physique transformation.
• CPR/AED Certification Program Fully online, self-paced CPR and AED certification covering adult CPR, AED operation, and choking response. Completed in approximately 30-60 minutes with an open-book exam and immediate certificate download. Required prerequisite for all ISSA certification programs. Priced at $49 one-time.
• Menopause Coach Certification Self-paced certification spanning 20-30 hours that equips fitness professionals with menopause-specific training expertise, including coaching tools and case studies for immediate application with clients navigating the menopause transition. Targets midlife women, a segment identified as one of the least served in the fitness industry.
• GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training Specialized continuing education course for fitness professionals on supporting clients using GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Covers GI side effects, nutrition adjustments, and exercise programming for this population. Awards 6 CEU credits and was the initial enrollment offering in the cult.fit partnership.
• The Business of Personal Training Business and entrepreneurship certification covering branding, pricing strategy, sales conversations, client onboarding, retention systems, time management, and workflow optimization for fitness professionals.
• ISSA Global Summit Annual virtual event uniting fitness professionals, students, educators, and industry partners worldwide for continuing education, networking, career development, CEU credits, and a hiring event. The 2026 summit is scheduled for June 9-12, 2026.
• Entrenador Personal Certificado (Spanish CPT) Spanish-language version of the Certified Personal Trainer course for Spanish-speaking students, delivering the same curriculum entirely in Spanish. Priced at $79/month or $948 one-time.
• Entrenador Elite (Spanish Elite Trainer) Spanish-language version of the Elite Trainer Bundle combining CPT, Nutrition Coach, and Strength & Conditioning certifications with one Spanish specialization.
• Coach de Nutrición (Spanish Nutrition Coach) Spanish-language version of the Certified Nutrition Coach course covering macronutrients, micronutrients, metabolism, and behavioral coaching in Spanish.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% exam pass rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• cult.fitflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 March 2026ISSA entered a multi-year partnership with cult.fit, India's largest fitness brand, to serve as its preferred global education partner. Delivers Certified Personal Trainer education and advanced specializations including GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training to cult.fit trainers across India. Initial rollout includes 750 fitness professionals. Partnership addresses growing demand for qualified fitness professionals as India's fitness industry revenue projected to more than double by 2030.
• Empowered EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023ISSA acquired Empowered Education, the parent company of Health Coach Institute and Functional Nutrition Alliance, as part of strategic expansion into health and wellness. The acquisition added over 36,000 members to ISSA's community, which already included more than 500,000 students, broadening offerings in fitness, nutrition, and behavior change.
• Health and Fitness Association (HFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association serving the global health club and fitness industry with mission to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry.
• Yoga AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading authority on yoga standards and credentialing. ISSA's Yoga 200 course is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS-200), qualifying graduates for RYT-200 registration.
• National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization ensuring qualified fitness professionals have achieved approved level of competency. ISSA holds Provisional Affiliate and full Affiliate status.
• MedFit Network and MedFit Education FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched in 2019 with leading online fitness and allied healthcare professionals organization.
• U.S. Army (Credentialing Assistance)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArmy Credentialing Assistance (CA) fully funds ISSA's NCCPT personal trainer certification for active duty Army personnel at no cost. ISSA credentials searchable under NCCPT in Army COOL system.
• MyCAA (Military Spouse Program)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMyCAA scholarship program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for eligible military spouses to cover ISSA certification costs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): The largest US personal training certification body, offering CPT, CES, PES, and other fitness credentials online. Directly competes with ISSA on core CPT and specialization products, and notably ISSA's own current CEO Andrew Wyant previously served as NASM President.
• American Council on Exercise (ACE): Major NCCA-accredited personal trainer and group fitness certification provider with overlapping online curriculum, employer relationships, and continuing education offerings. Competes head-to-head with ISSA in CPT, health coach, and medical exercise specialist segments.
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): Strength and conditioning-focused credentialing body offering CSCS, NSCA-CPT, and tactical strength certifications. Directly competes with ISSA's Strength & Conditioning specialization and CPT bundle offerings, with strong penetration in performance/sports settings.
• National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF): NCCA-accredited personal trainer and strength coach certification provider offering online learning and specializations. Competes directly with ISSA's CPT, Strength & Conditioning, and specialization bundles in the same price band.
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM): Clinical- and academic-leaning credentialing body offering EP-C, ACSM-CEP, and other certifications with strong ties to medical and rehabilitation settings. Competes with ISSA in advanced/exercise therapy segments and benefits from clinical credibility ISSA lacks.
• Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA): Group fitness and personal training certification provider offering online group exercise instructor, indoor cycling, and CPT credentials. Directly overlaps with ISSA's Group Exercise Instructor, Indoor Cycling Instructor, and CPT product lines.
• Precision Nutrition: Premium nutrition coaching certification provider (Pn1, Pn2) targeting fitness professionals seeking nutrition credentials. Directly competes with ISSA's Certified Nutrition Coach and overlaps in the wellness coaching category after ISSA's Empowered Education acquisition.
• Wellcoaches: Health and wellness coach certification program affiliated with NBHWC, competing directly with ISSA's Health Coach Certification. Targets overlapping customer base of career changers and existing fitness professionals seeking behavior-change credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Large-scale online learning platform offering university and industry certifications including fitness, nutrition, and wellness content. Represents a broader incumbent threat as it bundles credentialing with career services that increasingly mirror ISSA's value proposition.
• 2U: Online education platform powering university degree and short-course programs in health, fitness, and wellness categories. Operates at broader scale and serves as a benchmark for digital credentialing platform economics relevant to ISSA's eLearning trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/issaonline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ISSAonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISSAonline
• Instagraminstagram.com/issaonline

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)